Noob requesting assistance

[Lotuse2003]

Hello fellow vapers, I hope all is well with you on this fine day. The reason for my post is that I'm still quite new to DIY, and haven't been having the best of luck. Rather than continue to read through post and post (read: lazy ) I decided to post here with my dilemma, and see if the tailored feedback will help me move in the right direction.
I ordered a package from WizardLabs with a bunch of TFA flavors, along with VG, PG, and 100mg/ml nic carried in 100% VG. I've mixed up a few juices so far, and only one has come out anywhere near decent. Below is the recipe I used, and I'm sure that one of these things will stick out as incorrect to all you smart, friendly, helpful people. I have the comprehensive list of flavors on the TFA subforum already, and use it to help me make informed decisions before I mix. The numbers below are for a 10 ml batch.
50% PG / 50% VG, 6mg/ml target nic strength
PG 2.9 ml 29% of total
VG 4.4 ml 44% of total
Nic .6 ml 6% of total
TFA Cheesecake .7 ml 7% of total
TFA French Vanilla .7 ml 7% of total
TFA Whipped Cream .7 ml 7% of total

It may just be the fact that I went with 21% flavoring, or perhaps one or more of the aforementioned flavors shouldn't be that strong. Thanks in advance for any insight into this problem. I want to keep mixing delicious combos, but I don't want to waste ingredients on a sub-par result. I know that is half the fun of doing DIY, is learning and experimenting, but my budget is tighter than... something very tight.
~Tre

 

[Sgt.Rock]

Can't help you with that particular recipe, but if you cruise over to THIS SUBFORUM and devote a little time to reading you will likely find some quite useful information.

 

[Huckleberried]

I literally just made a cheesecake mix, it's the 2nd I've done. I used 4% of the Cheesecake Graham Crust. In another reciped I use 2 or 3% whipped cream. French Vanilla, I've used lower, typically. It's possible you over-flavored. I'm only a couple months or so into DIY, but those #s have served me well.

When mixing multiple flavors, I've always used the complimentary flavors at a lower percentage. You could try adding just a little of your base to your mix and see if it helps?

Hope this helps you a little!

 

[dannyv45]

Having never made it I would start by doing something like this.

7% cheese cake
2% vanilla
2% whip cream
2-3% graham cracker

taste then let it steep 2 - 3 weeks and taste again.

I've also read that it's hard to find a good cheese cake flavoring so I would also ask for recommendations on that flavor.

 

[Huckleberried]

TFA Cheesecake Graham Crust fo' sho'! I have 3 different ones, it's the best one for me.

 

[Lotuse2003]

I'll be adding the contents to a 50 ml bottle soon, and diluting the flavors, while retaining the PG/VG ratio, and nic strength. Thanks all for the great advice! I was surprised to see four replies in less than an hour. <3 ECF!

~Tre

 

[dannyv45]

I'll be adding the contents to a 50 ml bottle soon, and diluting the flavors, while retaining the PG/VG ratio, and nic strength. Thanks all for the great advice! I was surprised to see four replies in less than an hour. <3 ECF!

~Tre

Why not use one third of the mix and add it to 2 thirds base for instance take 3.33 ml's of the mix and add it to 6.66 ml's base so your total is 10 mls then add more cheesecake flavor. you've essentially cut your flavors to 2.33% and just need to add more cheesecake flavor to bring it back to 7%. This way your back to 10 ml's and not wasting so much base and your not stuck with 50 ml's of mix that may not taste good. Waste not want not I always say

 

[Lotuse2003]

Why not use one third of the mix and add it to 2 thirds base for instance take 3.33 ml's of the mix and add it to 6.66 ml's base so your total is 10 mls then add more cheesecake flavor. This way your back to 10 ml's and not wasting so much base and your not stuck with 50 ml's of mix that may not taste good. Waste not want not I always say

I was just debating on whether to dilute some of the juice into a second 10ml bottle, rather than using a 50 ml. Even if I did put it in the big one, I don't think I'd dilute it more than half before tasting. That'd leave me at 10.5% flavor. I'm not worried about the nic content getting too low until I nail the recipe for my personal taste. I don't have any of the graham cracker crust flavor, I'll probably pick it up next order.
I did a hot-water steeping of the juice last night, shaking it every 20-30 minutes for at least 1.5 hours. Is there another tried-and-true alternative to time steeping that won't break my budget? I've been hearing about hypersonic steeping, but I'm not quite sure what that entails. Thanks again for the replies and advice.
~Tre

 

[dannyv45]

I think you mean ultasonic steeping. I use ultrasonic but If you have a crock pot and a meat thurmomitor you can also use that and make sure the heat stays at 150F. 3 - 4 hours is a good steep time for your particular recipe and that method works great also.

 

[Huckleberried]

Yep, I've done crock pot. It's what I have.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Not sure if you have the plain TFA Cheesecake or the Graham Cracker Cheesecake. I along with a lot of other people think the plain one tastes like old gym socks. TBH I like Lorann NY Style Cheesecake better than both of the TFA offerings.

I agree with what others have already said. I'd dial back the french vanilla and whipped cream to 1-2%. I'd also add 1-2% of Graham Cracker clear. Good luck!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Lotuse2003]

I have a tiny crock pot that's only putting out 40 watts, so the water doesn't get anywhere near boiling. Is it paramount to make sure that the water stays at 150? I have a food thermometer here, so I'll test it when the darn thing heats up. That should give me enough time to finish reading this thread on weight-mixing. I already have a scale that measures down to the hundredth of a gram. (Don't ask me why I have it. ) I've heard this is much more accurate than syringes, especially since I have to use needle tips to get down into the flavor vials. This will also give me a use for all the glass drippers I ordered, as opposed to sitting in the way when I go to mix juices. Another positive point is that I'll be able to accurately mix small batches, rather than accidentally throwing in too much of a strong flavor or nic juice. Another item on my agenda for today is to re-coil my Nimbus clone with dual diamond coils. According to Rip Trippers, it gets some of the best flavor, and definitely the best vapor to juice ratio. For his single coil build, he was claiming that only seven drops got him fifteen good hits. Rather than use cotton though, I'll probably pull out a bit of the silica I got from my local B&M, because I'm tired of re-wicking almost every time I switch dripper flavors. I can't seem to get them dry enough without burning up my cotton.

 

[Lotuse2003]

Not sure if you have the plain TFA Cheesecake or the Graham Cracker Cheesecake. I along with a lot of other people think the plain one tastes like old gym socks.

Unfortunately, I got the plain one. I'm taking notes though, so my next WizardLabs order should be a lot more fine-tuned than my first one. For my original order, I had done *some* research, but not nearly enough. I went with all TFA flavors.

 

[Heabob]

+1 TFA Cheesecake Graham Crust.

Don't forget the Vanilla Swirl & Marshmallow.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

I went with mostly TFA flavors as well. The only exceptions from my WL order was 2 Lorann flavors, NY Style Cheesecake and Cream Cheese Icing. I do believe for the most part TFA flavors are superior to Lorann for vaping. But as they say, taste is subjective.

Cheers,
Steve

PS I don't think any 1 company makes all the best flavors. I think even the best ones have hits and misses.

 

[twizted]

Hello fellow vapers, I hope all is well with you on this fine day. The reason for my post is that I'm still quite new to DIY, and haven't been having the best of luck. Rather than continue to read through post and post (read: lazy ) I decided to post here with my dilemma, and see if the tailored feedback will help me move in the right direction.
I ordered a package from WizardLabs with a bunch of TFA flavors, along with VG, PG, and 100mg/ml nic carried in 100% VG. I've mixed up a few juices so far, and only one has come out anywhere near decent. Below is the recipe I used, and I'm sure that one of these things will stick out as incorrect to all you smart, friendly, helpful people. I have the comprehensive list of flavors on the TFA subforum already, and use it to help me make informed decisions before I mix. The numbers below are for a 10 ml batch.
50% PG / 50% VG, 6mg/ml target nic strength
PG 2.9 ml 29% of total
VG 4.4 ml 44% of total
Nic .6 ml 6% of total
TFA Cheesecake .7 ml 7% of total
TFA French Vanilla .7 ml 7% of total
TFA Whipped Cream .7 ml 7% of total

It may just be the fact that I went with 21% flavoring, or perhaps one or more of the aforementioned flavors shouldn't be that strong. Thanks in advance for any insight into this problem. I want to keep mixing delicious combos, but I don't want to waste ingredients on a sub-par result. I know that is half the fun of doing DIY, is learning and experimenting, but my budget is tighter than... something very tight.
~Tre

Those three flavors I have no idea about but the cheesecake sounds like it would be strong. I would try mixing with 3% cheesecake, 2% vanilla, & 4% whipped cream. Also, I know you want a 50/50 blend but I would suggest you try it at a 70%/30% PG/VG instead. I've try 100% vg, 80% vg & 50% vg and I have come to the conclusion that much more than 30% vg mutes the flavor, or atleast gives it an off taste.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[Lotuse2003]

Thanks for the advice, family. I haven't necessarily been dead-set on a 50/50 blend, but I was just using that until I found another ratio I liked. I'll give it a shot. What blend ratio do you vape?

 

[twizted]

For the past 8 months or so I have vaped strictly a 70% PG 30% VG blend.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[Huckleberried]

I kinda bounce at 70/30 ( with a touch of saline) and 80/20ish. Anymore VG and I feel congested.


Sent from my stupid iPhone because I don't have an Android.

 

[RogerWilco357]

What he said try mixing at lower percentages and add more of what you think is missing. I love caramel and add that to almost all my sweet stuff along with Creme or Dulce Leche for dreamy creamy after notes even egg nog for that kick...I love cheese cake so this may be my next e juice to try to make along side my Custards...let us know how the end product turns out..Are you looking for in your face flavor or smooth after notes of flavor?
RC

Why not use one third of the mix and add it to 2 thirds base for instance take 3.33 ml's of the mix and add it to 6.66 ml's base so your total is 10 mls then add more cheesecake flavor. you've essentially cut your flavors to 2.33% and just need to add more cheesecake flavor to bring it back to 7%. This way your back to 10 ml's and not wasting so much base and your not stuck with 50 ml's of mix that may not taste good. Waste not want not I always say